There's a yearning in my heart, a longing that grows stronger every day. It is hard for me to sit still because my heart turns inside my chest pushing me beyond what I know, beyond what I am comfortable with, beyond today. I try to keep from being swept away by this driving force within me. I don't want to miss today. I want to be faithful to every opportunity that presents itself for the kingdom but my heart cannot be silenced. I hear satan as he tries to convince me I am not good enough. He is right. I am not good enough. My talents, my righteousness, my gifts and abilities are nothing in and of themselves but I have to believe in the hands of my Maker they are enough, in fact, they are unstoppable because He is unstoppable. With Him, I can forge ahead as an instrument, a weapon of the Great King as he advances His kingdom. If they can bring attention to Him then His glory will consume every person whose gaze is drawn to Him.
I don't want to stay here. I want to move. I want to grow and as every thorn tries to quench my love and passion for Christ it will be overwhelmed and unable to compete. My heart is pushing me yet my eyes cannot see. They don't know where to look or where to move. This passion inside of me is crying for an outlet. Lord, show me Your footsteps that I may follow them. With each step my heart will overflow and pour out praise to Your name because You are worthy!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Content or Lukewarm?
"So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." ~Rev. 3:16-18
Many of us fear the possibility of loss. We consider all we have and think how difficult life would be without the blessings that bring us so much joy. What if we lost our home or our money? What if we lost our health and physical abilities? What if we lost our husband, our wife, or our children in some unforseen event? These circumstances scare us. We would much rather live life with peace, with stability and security. But perhaps these things are not among the worst. What if life was smooth with very few waves? What if we acquire the things we desire and live life with very few needs? We are simply content. It sounds good doesn't it?
Being content is a godly characteristic...right? If we become content or satisfied with life as it is then we can miss the real treasure found in Jesus Christ! Christianity then becomes a bow to wrap around our already successful lives rather than a passion that consumes our hearts.
Godly contentment is one that finds satisfaction, even more so, great pleasure in Jesus Christ. It is one that is not waivered by circumstances. Circumstances do not determine the joy of one filled with godly contentment. On the other hand, one who is lukewarm, as those in Laodicea, find satisfaction but not in Christ. Life is good enough. Here is great danger! One who is luke warm does not experience the Real Treasure but settles for less. Father, help us see the emptiness in the things of this world so we may experience the Real Treasure found in Jesus Christ!
Many of us fear the possibility of loss. We consider all we have and think how difficult life would be without the blessings that bring us so much joy. What if we lost our home or our money? What if we lost our health and physical abilities? What if we lost our husband, our wife, or our children in some unforseen event? These circumstances scare us. We would much rather live life with peace, with stability and security. But perhaps these things are not among the worst. What if life was smooth with very few waves? What if we acquire the things we desire and live life with very few needs? We are simply content. It sounds good doesn't it?
Being content is a godly characteristic...right? If we become content or satisfied with life as it is then we can miss the real treasure found in Jesus Christ! Christianity then becomes a bow to wrap around our already successful lives rather than a passion that consumes our hearts.
Godly contentment is one that finds satisfaction, even more so, great pleasure in Jesus Christ. It is one that is not waivered by circumstances. Circumstances do not determine the joy of one filled with godly contentment. On the other hand, one who is lukewarm, as those in Laodicea, find satisfaction but not in Christ. Life is good enough. Here is great danger! One who is luke warm does not experience the Real Treasure but settles for less. Father, help us see the emptiness in the things of this world so we may experience the Real Treasure found in Jesus Christ!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Content
Paul said, "...I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:11b-13)
Sometimes it is easy to examine our lives and say we are content. God has blessed us beyond belief and we are enjoying the gifts He has poured out in our hands. Yet, there are other times our contentment is put to the test. We lose the gifts that made us feel secure, well taken care of. We can no longer produce the wealth that once came with ease. Or perhaps our relationships now require more work than we feel we have the strength to give. They seem to produce more anxiety than refreshment. Maybe the health we once enjoyed has been threatened and we no longer have the physical strength or ability to do the things we once enjoyed so much. Have you ever felt this way? So where do we go from here?
Paul said he had learned the secret of living in every situation. He was able to "rejoice in the Lord, always!" How can a man find joy in prison or while going hungry? How can one celebrate in the midst of great persecution and even the physical beatings he endured? What is this "secret" Paul had learned because this secret is one worth knowing! Paul rejoiced not in his circumstances but in the Lord and the Lord does not change! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. While life presented Paul with an abundance of trying circumstances, Paul was able to find joy in the Lord! His life was lived in persuit of God's glory not his own. He was able to rest knowing that his work was one of eternal significance (we see that even today). Paul rejoiced in the Lord, and said he could to all things through Christ. Contentment can only be found in the One who does not change. He is our source of strength and joy. Everything else will fade away.
Sometimes it is easy to examine our lives and say we are content. God has blessed us beyond belief and we are enjoying the gifts He has poured out in our hands. Yet, there are other times our contentment is put to the test. We lose the gifts that made us feel secure, well taken care of. We can no longer produce the wealth that once came with ease. Or perhaps our relationships now require more work than we feel we have the strength to give. They seem to produce more anxiety than refreshment. Maybe the health we once enjoyed has been threatened and we no longer have the physical strength or ability to do the things we once enjoyed so much. Have you ever felt this way? So where do we go from here?
Paul said he had learned the secret of living in every situation. He was able to "rejoice in the Lord, always!" How can a man find joy in prison or while going hungry? How can one celebrate in the midst of great persecution and even the physical beatings he endured? What is this "secret" Paul had learned because this secret is one worth knowing! Paul rejoiced not in his circumstances but in the Lord and the Lord does not change! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. While life presented Paul with an abundance of trying circumstances, Paul was able to find joy in the Lord! His life was lived in persuit of God's glory not his own. He was able to rest knowing that his work was one of eternal significance (we see that even today). Paul rejoiced in the Lord, and said he could to all things through Christ. Contentment can only be found in the One who does not change. He is our source of strength and joy. Everything else will fade away.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Cross
Have you ever been overwhelmed by your "to do" list? Your responsibilities seem to grow by the minute and as you weigh this list, it becomes boldly apparent...you CANNOT accomplish all that is required of you. How do I pay my bills, feed my family, fix my car, clothe my children, meet my deadlines and...serve the Lord? How do I handle those who hate me, those who persecute me, and those who are flat out mean? How do I deal with illness, loss, and death? It is a terrible feeling! Your chest caves in, your eyes droop and sometimes you lose the desire to even try. I've been there. I've been there more times than I can count. But there is one thing that lifts my head even in the center of the most stressful of circumstances.
The cross.
To kneel at the foot of the cross is the most precious gift. As the eye of my heart gazes on the Son of God things begin to change. I see the anguish and exhaustion tear through His body and I am captivated. I cannot take my eyes off of Him. His silence is disturbing. I want, with all my being, to hear Him rebuke the people. To stand up in His omnipotent power and display His splendor and wrath. But instead, He offers His hand to the soldier who will nail it to the cross. While the physical pain He suffers is beyond words, i can see another sorrow protruding. His eyes tell the story as He calls out "Father, forgive them." How can this be? God has loved you and me so much that in the midst of such terrible suffering He speaks of forgiveness. To know I am loved this deeply is humbling to say the least. I am quiet. By now the worries of my responsibilities have faded away and I am at peace. There I am reminded of my greatest and most pleasurable responsibility, to the love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength! God is good!
The cross.
To kneel at the foot of the cross is the most precious gift. As the eye of my heart gazes on the Son of God things begin to change. I see the anguish and exhaustion tear through His body and I am captivated. I cannot take my eyes off of Him. His silence is disturbing. I want, with all my being, to hear Him rebuke the people. To stand up in His omnipotent power and display His splendor and wrath. But instead, He offers His hand to the soldier who will nail it to the cross. While the physical pain He suffers is beyond words, i can see another sorrow protruding. His eyes tell the story as He calls out "Father, forgive them." How can this be? God has loved you and me so much that in the midst of such terrible suffering He speaks of forgiveness. To know I am loved this deeply is humbling to say the least. I am quiet. By now the worries of my responsibilities have faded away and I am at peace. There I am reminded of my greatest and most pleasurable responsibility, to the love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength! God is good!
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